Debris Skimming Device for a Swimming Pool

ABSTRACT

A large, rectangular frame which is lightweight and provides a vertical bar in the center, which may be used as a hinge to fold the frame in half comprises a debris skimming device for a swimming pool. The frame provides one or more latches such that it may be secured in the folded or unfolded position. A plurality of handles are provided around the inner perimeter of the frame, enabling users to manipulate and lift the device easily while standing in the pool. Fine mesh is extended over the frame to catch debris, secured by wrap-around flaps with hook-and-loop fasteners. The device is intended for user by one user in the folded position, or by two users in the unfolded position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/184,422, filed on Jun. 25, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to pool maintenance equipment and in particular to a debris skimming device for a swimming pool. Homeowners who have swimming pools are aware of the substantial amount of maintenance that is required. Leaves and other debris, find their way into the water and must be cleaned out. The use of a traditional net at the end of a pole is effective, but extremely slow and tedious, creating sore muscles in the arms, shoulders, and neck.

A search of the prior art reveals various skimming devices which have been developed. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory in its own way.

Pool skimmer basket assembly including a buoyant handle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,403 (filed Jul. 15, 1999), provides a pool skimmer basket assembly which is submerged in a filter passage. The filter passage communicates with a filter opening formed in a wall of a pool. The basket assembly operates to separate and capture debris entrained in pool water entering the filter opening and moving downstream through the filter passage. The skimmer basket assembly is accessible through a user access opening communicating with the filter passage, such that the skimmer basket assembly is readily removable by a user for periodic emptying and cleaning. The skimmer basket assembly includes a basket defined by walls and having an open top arranged for receiving pool water. A filter is provided for separating debris from pool water flowing downstream through the filter passage and through the open top of the basket. An extendable handle is attached to the basket for being grasped by the user to lift and remove the basket outwardly from the filter passage through the access opening. A float is attached to the extendable handle for locating the handle in a position within the filter passage for ready access by the user.

Floating, multi-directional pool skimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,490 (priority Feb. 15, 2003), provides a floating, multi-directional liquid skimming device, comprising a perimeter frame attached to a net, where the frame rotates relative to a central axis. A central axis element may be attached to a pole handle. Floatation elements can be located along the central axis. In operation, the frame floats at rest with the frame roughly parallel to the surface of the liquid, and where the top edge of the frame is above the liquid surface to retain collected debris. When the device is pulled toward the operator, the frame swivels relative to the surface, so the frame opening is facing the direction of travel, enabling capture of floating material. When the skimmer motion is stopped, inherent floatation causes the frame to quickly swivel back to the resting position. If the skimmer is pushed away from the operator, the frame opening swivels to face the new direction of travel.

In-pool skimmer, U.S. Patent No. 5,705,058 (filed Nov. 7, 1996), provides an in-pool skimmer for maintaining large area swimming pools and demarcated swimming areas free of offensive floating debris. PVC tubing interconnected in a water-proof manner, and having additional buoyancy floats attached, forms the frame for the skimmer netting. In place of traditional perimeter operation of a pool skimmer, the in-pool skimmer floats within the pool and is directed by an operator either walking behind or swimming behind the skimmer, guiding the skimmer with its convenient handles. When not in use the wedge shaped skimmer floats open side up, above the water, retaining collected debris within the netting of the skimmer.

Skim net assembly for cleaning swimming pools and the like, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,972 (filed Mar. 18, 1988), provides a skim net assembly having an open frame with a number of sides, and a web coupled to the frame at one of the sides. The net is secured in some suitable manner to the frame in alignment with the central opening through the frame so as to trap and collect debris as the skim net assembly moves in the water of debris-containing water in a forward or lateral direction. The cross section of three sides of the frame is blade-like in configuration; thus, the three sides permit a shovel-like action when cleaning a swimming pool which allows debris to be more effectively forced into the net when the assembly is being pushed over the bottom or moved laterally over the bottom surface of a swimming pool. A pole is coupled to the frame in a manner such that the pole is adjustably mounted on the frame for angular movement into any one of a number of operative positions. Thus, the present invention allows a side edge of the frame to be positioned so as to permit the side edge to move over the bottom of the pool for maximum debris collection.

Pool skimmer with buoyant member, U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,410 (filed Jan. 30, 2001), provides a buoyant, pool skimming device for removing floating debris from swimming pools. The device includes a skimmer frame mounting plural flotation, buoyancy members removably secured to the frame. The respective members each comprise an elongated elastomeric member, having a snap engaging channel for attachment to the frame, and a light weight foam body secured thereabout.

Swimming pool surface debris skimmer and method, U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,327 (filed Sep. 30, 1976), provides a surface debris skimmer comprised of a skimmer bar with a bracket for mounting, and a skimmer pocket. Surface debris on a swimming pool is floated toward and into a skimmer pocket and directed toward an overflow. A skimmer bar projecting generally obliquely toward the direction from which normal circulation of water in the pool takes place defines with the adjacent pool side the pocket for receiving and directing the debris. The skimmer bar has a bracket for mounting the bar removably to project from the side of the pool adjacent to the overflow outlet.

Prior art inventions generally provide some sort of skimming device for a swimming pool, but the operation of such prior art devices is tiresome, tedious, and time consuming. The present invention has been developed for the purpose of addressing and resolving the disadvantages of the prior art inventions. A debris skimming device for a swimming pool, which may be used by one or two users to rapidly clear large amounts of debris while comfortably exercising the whole body, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a debris skimming device for a swimming pool. The device is comprised of a large, rectangular frame which is lightweight and provides a vertical bar in the center, which may be used as a hinge to fold the frame in half. The frame provides one or more latches such that it may be secured in the folded or unfolded position. A plurality of handles are provided around the inner perimeter of the frame, enabling users to manipulate and lift the device easily while standing in the pool. Fine mesh is extended over the frame to catch debris, secured by wrap-around flaps with hook-and-loop fasteners. The device is intended for user by one user in the folded position, or by two users in the unfolded position.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment in the unfolded position, displaying the device 10, the frame 11, the bar 12, the handles 13, the mesh 14, and the flaps 15.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the mesh component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the mesh 14, and the flaps 15.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the frame 11, the bar 12, and the handles 13.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment in the folded position, displaying the device 10, the frame 11, the bar 12, the handles 13, the mesh 14, and the flaps 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a debris skimming device 10 for a swimming pool.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a large, rectangular frame 11 which is preferably 4.5 feet in length and 3 feet in height. The frame 11 is lightweight and provides a vertical bar 12 in the center, which may be used as a hinge to fold the frame 11 in half. The frame 11 provides one or more latches such that it may be secured in the folded or unfolded position. A plurality of handles 13 are provided around the inner perimeter of the frame 11, enabling the user or users to easily manipulate and lift the device 10 while standing in the pool. A fine mesh 14 is extended over the frame 11 to catch debris, secured by wrap-around flaps 15 with hook-and-loop fasteners. The device 10 is preferably used with above ground or in ground swimming pools which are four to five feet deep.

The device 10 is intended for use by one user in the folded position, or by two users in the unfolded position. Although the device 10 causes less exhaustion to the user's arms, shoulders, and neck when compared to a conventional debris net on a pole, it enables a significant cardiovascular workout for the user's whole body due to maneuvering the device 10 while in the water.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user may keep the latches secured, stand in the pool while grasping the handles 13, and manipulate the device 10 above and below the water surface in the pool to catch debris in the mesh. For two users, the latches may be opened, the frame 11 may be unfolded and secured in the unfolded position.

The frame 11, the bar 12, the handles 13, and the latches are preferably manufactured from rigid durable materials which are lightweight and corrosion resistant, such as plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum. The mesh 14, the flaps 15, and the hook-and-loop fasteners are preferably manufactured from flexible, durable materials, such as plastic and nylon.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A debris skimming device for a swimming pool, comprising: a. a large, rectangular, frame with a vertical bar in the center, which may be used to fold a frame in half; b. one or more latches on the frame, such that it may be secured in a folded or unfolded position; and c. a fine mesh extended over the frame to catch debris.
 2. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the frame is preferably 4.5 feet in length and 3 feet in height.
 3. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the frame is lightweight.
 4. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the frame provides a plurality of handles around an inner perimeter of the frame, enabling a user or users to easily manipulate and lift the device while standing in the swimming pool.
 5. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the mesh is secured to the frame by wrap-around flaps with hook-and-loop fasteners.
 6. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the device is preferably used with above ground or in ground swimming pools which are four to five feet deep.
 7. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the device is intended for use by one user in the folded position, or by two users in the unfolded position.
 8. The debris skimming device of claim 1 with latches, wherein the user may keep said latches secured, stand in the pool while grasping a handle or handles, and manipulate the device above and below a water surface in the pool to catch debris in the mesh.
 9. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein for two users, the latches may be opened, and the frame may be unfolded and secured in the unfolded position.
 10. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the frame, the bar, the handles, and the latches are preferably manufactured from rigid durable materials which are lightweight and corrosion resistant, such as plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum.
 11. The debris skimming device of claim 1, wherein the mesh, the flaps, and the hook-and-loop fasteners are preferably manufactured from flexible, durable materials, such as plastic and nylon. 